Prema Vahini

Every man should live his life so that no pain is caused by him to any living thing. That is his supreme duty. Just as time is spared to nourish the body, which is impermanent, so also, it is the prime duty of everyone, who has had the chance of this human birth, to make it possible to spare a part of his time and energies to prayers, repetition of the Lord’s Name, meditation, good deeds which are of service to others, etc. One must also equate living with truth, rightfulness, and peacefulness. One must be as afraid of doing acts that are harmful to others or deeds that are sinful, as he now is afraid to touch fire or disturb a cobra. One must have as much attachment and as much steadfastness in carrying out good works, in making others happy, and in worshipping the Lord as he now has, in accumulating gold and riches. This is the Sahaja (natural) Dharma of man towards his fellow brothers and sisters. It is to strengthen this type of goodness that the Lord incarnates Himself in human form. But, the question may arise, how can a non-existent thing be strengthened and developed? Indeed, these qualities are not non-existent; they are there in man! When these existing qualities decline and wither, the Lord comes with the purpose of promoting them and bringing about the decline of the forces that work in the opposite direction. It is to make clear this purpose that Shri Krishna, in the Dwapara Yuga, while teaching Arjuna, said:

Paritranaaya saadhoonaam
Vinaashaaya cha dushkritaam |
Dharma samsthaapanaarthaaya
Sambhavaami yuge yuge ||

That is to say, all incarnations of the Lord are for the protection and promotion of Saadhus. This word, Sadhus, does not refer to any single religion, or color, or caste, or stage of life, or community, or even any single species, like the human! It refers not only to all communities, all religions, all stages of life, all races, but also to all creatures. The Lord has revealed in the Geeta, His Universal Mind. It is because of this universal message that the Geeta has become so important and so famous. Why! Shri Krishna Himself has declared, in plenty of situations and places, that He is the dutiful servant of His devotees. An example of this is His accepting to be the Charioteer of Arjuna!

If the culture of the ordinary man himself results in such elevation, each one can judge for himself how much more purified and holy will be the character of those who are engaged in spiritual exercises and the incessant contemplation of God! For both these types of people, the quality of their character is the important criterion.

There is a great difference between the Brahmanishthas (those established in God-contemplation) of the past and the Brahmanishthas of the present day. First, it is necessary to grasp the greatness of Brahmanishtha itself. It is because this has not been done by the present-day Brahmanishthas, that kshama (poverty) has come upon us today. In the past, this greatness was realised, and they were immersed in experiencing holiness. The question may arise why such holy feelings do not arise now; but, they are not absent. For fire to increase or decrease, fuel is the only cause; there is no other reason. The more the fuel, the more the illumination! In all humanity, every individual has the undisputed right to feed his fire with fuel! Fire has the power to give light, by its very nature. So too, in the fire of the Buddhi of the aspirant and spiritual practitioner, the fire which emanates the light of wisdom, the fuel of qualities such as Vishaya Vairagya (detachment or lack of affection towards sensory objects), Shaantam (peacefulness), Satyam (truth), Karuna (mercifulness), Sahanam (forbearance) and Paropakaara (selfless service) has to be constantly placed. The more they do this, the more efficacious and effulgent the Saadhakas can become. Only those trees that grow on fertile soil can yield good fruits. Those which grow on saline soils will be poor. So also, it is only in hearts which are unsullied, that such holy feelings, glory and blessings can shine in splendour.

Therefore, the difference between the Brahmanishthas of the past and the present is just this: the difference in the purity of heart. The present-day Brahmanishthas are practising the same Dhyaanam, the same Pranava and the same Yoga as those practised in the past, the difference arises in the decline in self-control, so far as the field of Saadhana is concerned. When the number of Mahapurushaas who engage themselves in unflinching meditation of God in solitary places declined, then, many a suffering descended upon the world. Those who exist today, are damaging their Brahmanishtha by themselves arranging for the accumulation of all obstacles for the carrying through of their Saadhana, by getting enslaved to mean praise and fame, by becoming entangled in delusion, and by restless endeavour to earn glory and to expand the institutions they have founded. But, those who yearn to establish themselves in Brahmanishtha must seek solitude, and practice Dhyaanam and Japam at specified times, and acquire one-pointedness through these spiritual exercises, and always be keen to do deeds that will bring about the welfare of all created beings, ever engaged in performing work without any concern for the fruit thereof. It is only when such men come upon the earth that all suffering will cease. This is the mark of Krita Yuga.

Just as in the world, kind-hearted doctors run medical institutions here and there, and serve the diseased and cure the afflicted, if, here and there, we also have Ashramas of holy personages, who are experts in the treatment and cure of the ‘birth-and-death disease’, then, people can be cured from the afflictions of ignorance, untruth, immorality and self-aggrandisement. The afflictions of ignorance produce wickedness and it can be cured only by the medicine of Brahmajnaana (knowledge of Brahman) and with qualities such as Shaantam, Shama, Dama (peacefulness, fortitude, self-control) as Pathyam (dietary restrictions). Instead of this, the ‘great men’ of today give those who approach them, the medicines they demand, and the diets their patients relish! They thus become the instruments of their followers and, for the sake of name and fame, they behave like doctors dictated to by the patients! This is the reason for the misery today.

Doctors must understand the condition of the patients and cure diseases accordingly. Only then do they deserve to be responsible for the happiness of the patients, and deserve their love and gratitude. On the other hand, if they do not attempt to properly understand the diseased and try to cure them to meet their selfish desires, they not only ruin the patients but they themselves also cannot sustain long with such manners. The present atmosphere is no different. Today’s so-called ‘great men’ in every field are behaving in the same way! Only when there is change in their behaviour can welfare result in the world. Without changing behaviour, how many ever attractive talks and preaching they may give, it is of no use. Their preaching must reflect in their work.

Doctors are meant to serve the patients. They cannot inject or operate on themselves. So also, Mahatmas (great souls) who are Jnaanis (spiritually wise ones) are meant to serve those who are found to be in slumber of ignorance and drowned in the gulf of Ahamkaara (conceit), by guiding them on the right path and making them victorious. They definitely should not ruin those who are already deluded into all types of attachments due to ignorance, who forgot the truth and crave for power and authority, name and fame, bodily comforts and conveniences further by pushing them more deeply into all types of worldly delusions. Their glory lies in promoting and laying the foundation for mutual love and respect towards all by subduing wicked qualities such as envy, hatred, egoism which leads to unrest and ignorance. Only such ones are ‘true great men’; rest all are clods.

In the communities where no good doctors and no adequate hospital facilities are present, people suffer from various diseases. So too, if no great men to teach noble things and guide in the path of truth, and no Ashrams (holy places) that are conducive for such purposes are present, people in those places suffer from the dreadful diseases of wicked qualities. In the places where great men who have realised the truth, acquired the true essence of all knowledge, highly devoted and disciplined in practising their Saadhana are present, wicked qualities do not arise; even if they arise, they are subdued by them. Actually, to whatever extent the world is presently experiencing peace and happiness is because of the immense power of penance and the strength of spiritual practises by such great men. Great men must not only enjoy the bliss they have experienced, but also share it with everyone.

The present day so-called ‘great men’ fall into perdition, even before they taste and experience the bliss themselves, on account of their weakness and foolishness, becoming a prey to the wiles of the greed for name and fame! This is the Daurbalya (weakness, disability) of so-called ‘great men’ today. Present-day Sadhus and so-called ‘great men’ have not understood this fact and do not act according to it. So, the main reason for kshama (poverty) today is just this.

That holy essence has to be experienced and realised. One’s selfish needs have to be sacrificed. There must be constant effort to do good to others. One’s desire should be to establish the welfare of the world. With all these feelings filling the heart, one must meditate on the Lord. This is the right path. If ‘great men’ and those in authority are thus engaged in the service of humanity, and in promoting the welfare of the world, the thieves of passion, hatred, pride, envy, jealousy and conceit will not invade the minds of men. The divine possessions of man, like Dharma (righteousness), Daya (mercy), Satya (truth), Prema (love), Jnaana (knowledge) and Vijnaana (wisdom) will be safe from harm. The police and the rulers can overcome only external foes; they have no power to destroy the internal enemies; they will find the task impossible. They are not the authorities for that. The internal foe, the six enemies that operate inside man, the Arishadvargas, can be uprooted only by the teachings of good men, the love of God and the knowledge of the Lord, and the company of the holy and the great. Just as when the police and the authorities responsible for apprehending thieves become themselves dependent on them, the world will suffer harm at the hands of wicked men. So also, if the Brahmanishthas and the ‘great’ Sadhus give up the path of world welfare and become the victims of sense enjoyment and ambition to earn name and fame, the world will become enveloped in darker ignorance and Dharma will be destroyed. The present situation is the same as described in the above two groups. Hence, the daily increase of suffering also. The whole world will bask in peace and joy only that day, when both these groups realise the right attitudes, and with the welfare of all at heart, ponder over the omnipotence of the Lord. Both these are two governments for man’s two States. Spiritual elders are the rulers of the internal State. Administrative authorities are the rulers of the external State. If both these groups act and direct properly, both States will function with equal happiness. The fault of causing the present misery must therefore be shared by both. It is at such times that the Lord of all, Sarvesha, resolves to vouchsafe happiness to all States by suppressing ignorance and injustice, and fostering wisdom and justice. It is to make this clear that the Lord said in the Geeta:

Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya
glaanirbhavati bhaarata |
Abhyutthaanamadharmasya
tadaatmaanam srjaamyaham ||

“Oh Bharata, whenever Dharma declines and Adharma raises its head, then I make Myself born.”

Really speaking, even for the advent of the Lord, the prayers of the great, act as the invitation. In the external world, when the subjects need any convenience or help, they approach the rulers and inform them of their requests. So also, in the internal State, when there is no possibility of achieving and acquiring Bhakti (devotion), Karuna (compassion), Shanti (peace) and Satya (truth), the great and good men who desire to achieve them pray to the Lord within themselves. Then, listening to their prayers, He Himself comes into the world and showers His grace on them. This fact is well known to all. Why, did not Rama and Krishna incarnate because the Lord heeded the prayers of the sages? Many have read this in the Ramayana and the Bhagavata. Why, even Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, though he was divinely-born, prayed to Goddess Kali (for, he could not bring it about) to send someone who could preach to the whole world the Dharma that will uproot injustice and selfishness. This is known to all who have read his life history. Thus, prayers should be offered again and again, for the realization of the task. No one should become desperate and give up prayers if they do not result in the advent of the Lord. In the external State, how often a person has to write to the rulers and how much he has to wander about for his work to be done; and perhaps, at the end, it may not fructify at all!

Now, how is one to know the consequence of the soul’s yearning which is unfathomable? Since this cannot be known, one has to pray until the world is established in happiness. The happiness of the world is the sign of His arrival. If this is understood, then it is easy to recognize the Avataar immediately. It is then that the religion of Satya, the religion of Daya, the religion of Jnaana, and the religion of Prema will grow and prosper. So, until these are firmly rooted, people must continue their prayers. That is the responsibility of the people. The roadway laid out by holy men has to be repaired now and then, by either those who travel through it or those claiming authority over it. This is what is called ‘Teaching’ or Bodha.

It is for the sake of such repairs that the Lord sends occasionally some authorized individuals, sages, and divine personages. Through the Sadbodha or good teachings of these, the path opened by the Godmen of the past is again made clear and smooth. Thus, when the Lord’s will, the conduct of Sadhus, and the noble teachings of great persons produce their combined effect, the happiness of the world will be assured, and it will be undiminished. If all humanity prays at one time and in one voice that unrest, injustice, disorder, and falsehood might be transformed into peace, truth, love, and mutual service, things will certainly become better. Now, there is no other way out. Worrying is fruitless. This is no occasion for despair. It is against the essential nature of man to plead weakness and want of strength. Therefore, giving up the search for other means, men must try to pray to God, serve others, with mutual love and respect. They should delay no longer. They will soon acquire contentment and joy.

People say that the service of Man is the service of God, that Maanavaseva is Maadhavaseva. That is a true statement. But though the service of humanity is holy, unless it is merged in the bigger ideal of Divinity, men will not benefit, however huge the service is. Mere repetition of the slogan is useless if service is done without faith in the divinity of man and with an eye on name and fame and the fruits of one’s action. Whatever actions one undertakes, if one has constantly as a companion, the contemplation of the Lord, and if one has faith in the essential divinity of man, then, the statement about Maanavaseva and Maadhavaseva being the same is justified. Without thoughts of Madhava, how can Maadhavaseva originate? All such talk is mere show. I won’t agree to that. Instead, whatever is done with the Lord in mind, along the path of truth, and according to the aspects of Dharma, has to be considered as the sewa of the Lord, and whatever is done for name and fame and for the fruit thereof, shall not be referred to as Maadhavaseva.

In fact, those who are immersed in the uninterrupted contemplation of the Lord need not do any other task at all. The fruit of their prayer itself can make the world holy. But, all cannot be thus engaged; and so, all must endeavour to prepare for that stage by purifying their mind and annihilating every other Sankalpa (resolve or desire). The Sadhus who have achieved this can realise things for themselves. Others cannot grasp the sameness of Maanavaseva and Maadhavaseva.

But this does not mean that one can sit quiet. Grasping it is dependent on each one’s Praapti (destined to get) and Saadhana. Until that happens, without deceiving the self, do Dhyaanam and Japam so that the mind will become free from the waves of agitation and full of the Divine form; also, carry out deeds for the good of others; devote your time to the service of the world, without aspiring for the results thereof; thus, you can become blessed. Otherwise, though the body may be inactive, the mind will be very busy, committing acts on its own. Such men fall a prey to Karma, in spite of their not doing anything! When a person has his mind fixed on the contemplation of God and the pursuit of truth, though his body and his senses do acts that are of service to the world, they will not be affected by them; though they do Karma, they are still non-doers of Karma. The lesson of the Bhagavad Geeta is embedded in this. The heart of the person who does not strive to cultivate his mind with holy thoughts is certain to be the paradise of evil and wickedness. This has to be borne in mind, by all those who aspire for salvation, who seek one-pointedness, and who hope to rise to greatness. To realise this knowledge of the Atma, caste is not a criterion, nor monkhood, nor rituals, nor scholarship gained by study of the Shaastras. Brahmanishtha is the only criterion. It is this that the Upanishad text too emphasizes:

Naashramam kaaranam mukteh,
darshanaani na kaaranam |
Tathaiva sarvakarmaani
jnaanameva hi kaaranam ||

“Jnaana alone is the cause of liberation; not Ashrama or philosophy.”

For the establishment of oneself in the contemplation of the Omnipresent Lord, there are no limitations of time or space. There is nothing like a holy place or a special time for this. Wherever the mind revels in the contemplation of the Divine, that is the holy place! Whenever it does so, that is the auspicious moment! There and then, one must contemplate on the Lord.

That is why it has been announced already before:

Na kaala niyamo yatra,
na deshasya sthalasya cha |
Yatraasya ramate chittam,
tatra dhyaanena kevalam ||

“For meditation on God, there is no fixed time or place. When and where the mind so desires, then and there, is the time and place.”

The world can achieve prosperity through such highly devoted and disciplined souls, whose hearts are pure and saturated with all the essence. Everyone should pray to God, from this very minute, for the advent of such men and try to deserve the blessings of the great and endeavour to forget the sufferings of the day, in the attempt to promote the welfare of the world.